Baptiste, Maxwell Evaluating the Impact of a Quality Improvement Initiative Designed to Decrease the Turnaround Time for CT scans In a Level 1 Trauma Center. 2023. Radford University, Doctoral Capstone Project. Radford University Scholars' Repository.
This is the latest version of this item.
 |
PDF
Download (929kB) |
Abstract
Abstract Computed tomography (CT) scanning is an essential form of medical imaging; however, the high demand for CT scans in emergency departments can create problematic bottlenecks for care in a time-sensitive environment. Therefore, the present project represents a quasi-experimental study of an intervention intended to facilitate faster and more efficient CT imaging in smaller urban hospitals. Objectives: A partial replication of Gyftopoulos et al.’s (2019) approach was trialed at a smaller hospital. The aim was to provide recommendations for smaller hospitals that would give them the ability to effectively replicate the incorporation of a radiology flow associate (RFA) into their workflow to have more efficient throughput and reduced turnaround times in CT. The objective was to determine if a trained RFA, as an intervention, could decrease emergency department CT turnaround times, as well as the disposition and treatment of the patients. Methodology: The intervention was tested using all patients from two 4-week periods, one pre-test and one post-test, in a quasi-experimental research design. The project will take place at a smaller New York City emergency department level 1 trauma hospital. The sample comprised 1,466 patients treated at one smaller New York City hospital that has 450 beds and discharges on average 2,070 patients per month. Results: The results revealed no significant difference in CT turnaround time for patients with an RFA versus patients without an RFA; a significant and moderate, positive relationship between time to admission and CT turnaround time; and a significant and moderate, positive relationship between time to discharge and CT turnaround time. Conclusions: The turnaround time of CT scans in the ED has a definite and often severe influence on a patient’s length of stay, whether for admission or discharge purposes; thus, it is recommended that the hospital management investigate strategies to assist in the prevention of bottlenecks in the ED due to a delay in CT results. Keywords: Computed tomography, radiology flow associate, emergency department turnaround times, emergency department expeditor
| Item Type: | Doctoral Capstone Project |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | Q Science > Q Science (General) |
| Divisions: | Radford University > Waldron College of Health and Human Services > Health Sciences Program |
| Date Deposited: | 06 Sep 2023 13:41 |
| Last Modified: | 06 Sep 2023 13:41 |
| URI: | http://wagner.radford.edu/id/eprint/1046 |
Available Versions of this Item
- Evaluating the Impact of a Quality Improvement Initiative Designed to Decrease the Turnaround Time for CT scans In a Level 1 Trauma Center. (deposited 06 Sep 2023 13:41) [Currently Displayed]
Administrative Actions
 |
View Item |
